Roof for toy structures



Aug. 9, 1932. p CHURCH 1,870,491

ROOF FOR TOY STRUCTURES Filed Aug. 22, 1930 i la I INVENTOR, AR THUR P.CHURCH.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1932 ARTHUR, P. CHURCH, OF SANTA BARBARA,CALIFORNIA noor non TOY srnuc'runns Application filed August 22, 1930.Serial No. 477,053.

My invention relates to sectional roof structures, and particularly tosuch structures as adapted to structural toys.

Among the objects of myinvention are:

Toiprovide a roof structure which is pleasing in appearance, andsimulates a full size roof; to provide a structure which able to roofsof any size; to provide a structure which is weatherproof and willafford 19 actual protection to outdoor toy buildings; to provide astructure which is easily erected; and to provide a structure which isdurable and is readily manufactured.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specificallypointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, butI do not limit myself to the embodiment of my invention hereindescribed, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of theclaims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the gable of a toybuilding, and showing a ridge section and two side sections of a roof,

leuilt in accordance with my invention, in

cross section.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the under side of a ridge sectionof the roof structure.

Figure 3 is a similar View showing the under side of a side section.

Figure A is a detailed view showing the method of attaching the coveringmaterial of the roof to a rigid base-plate.

In general terms, the roof structure of my invention comprises aplurality of sections, each of said sections being formed from asubstantially rigid base-plate having means on opposite edges thereoffor attaching succeeding sections, and a covering material secured toeach of the base-pa tes and overlapping the junction with the succeedingsection.

The covering material should possess a certain degree of flexibility,but a wide choice is available in its selection, artificial leather,genuine leather, paper products, or celluloid, all being usable for thispurpose.

In the preferred form of invention illustrated in the drawing, a portionof a wall 10 of a toy structure is shown, carrying a is adapttrusscomprising a cross-member 11 and a pair of cent ends are held byatitting 13 which supports a ridgepole 15.

A suiiicient number of such trusses or other. suitable structures areused satisfactorilyto support the roof.

Two different preferably used, tion but not in principle.

types of roof section are different somewhat lILfllIlC- The ridgesections diagonal roof beams 12 whose adjacomprise a base-plate 16,preferably formed of a substantially rigid material such as sheet Hmetal. The base-plate is bent along its central line to conform with thedesired angle or pitchof the roof which it is wished to build.

Each of the lower edges of the ridge .sec-

tion is provided with meansfor attaching an adjacent section. This meanspreferably comprises a recurved hook 17 formed by bond.

ingthe edge of the material outward and back upon itself. A suitablecovering mates riallS is secured over the top of the baseplate andoverlapping its recurved edges... 1

have found that a satisfactory materialfor this cover is imitationleather, i. e., .a fabric having a surface treated to simulate leather.

This materialis durable, may be obtainedin. many pleasing shades, and issubstantially waterproof, so that structures formed there? of may beleft in the rain without injury.

Other materials such as untreated fabric,

tough paper, ,or oilclotlnmay also beused if desired.

The covering of the ridge section is preferably attached in a mannerwhich does not require that the material be punctured. A satisfactorymethod is to form the base-plate 16 with a plurality of openings 20adjacent the bend which forms the ridge. Notches 21 may also be formedat the endsof the ridge bend. A strip of fabric 22 is adhesively appliedtothe under side of the base: plate, the holes 20 and notches 21allowing the strip to be secured directly to thecover= ing material 18.fastening is secured by this method than is possible if it be attemptedto secure the cov ering material ,adhesively directly tothe base-plate.7

A much more. permanent Int} J The side sections are formed as shown in Figure'3, each comprising a base-plate 25 formed with the oppositelyrecurved hooked edges 26 and 27. A piece of covering material 28 issecured to the base-plate between the edges, and overlying the upwardlyrecurved edge 27. Since the covering material of these sections may bepunctured, adjacent its upper edges, without in any Way har1ning thestructure, the simpler method of fastening the covering material shownin Fig-' ure 4 is preferred. Tongues 30, preferably of sharp triangularform, are struck up from the base-plate, leaving the triangular opening31 therein. These tongues are forced through the covering material 28and clinched down on the upper side as shown, holding the materialfirmly against the base-plate.

In constructing the roof, the ridge sections are simply laid over theridgepole, and the lowersections are attached thereto, the downwardlycurved hook edges 26 of the lower sections engaging the upwardly hookededges 17 of the ridge sections. The extended edges of the coveringmaterial on the roof sections overlie the point of attachment of thelower sections, covering the perforations formed by the tongues 30.Additional sections may be hooked on as desired to obtain as extensive aroof as is necessary for the building to be constructed. The roof thusformed is substantially self-supporting. It is possible to lift a ridgesection and a large number of lower sections off of the structuretogether, without dis-assembling the entire roof, which is an advantagein toy structures. The roof has suflicient weight to maintain itself inposition, and the overlapping strips of covering material form a roofwhich is actually weather tight.

I claim:

1. A roof structure comprising a plurality of plates, means on eachplate for attaching a succeeding plate, and a cover secured to eachplate and extending to overlie its junction with the succeeding plate.

2. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate, means onopposite edges of said plate for joining other sections thereto, and acover secured to the plate between said edges and overlapping one ofsaid edges to conceal the junction with the succeeding sec- Hon.

3. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate having oppositeedges recurved to form hooks for attaching succeeding sections, and acover secured to the plate between said edges and overlapping one ofsaid edges to conceal the junction with the succeeding section.

4. A. roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate, meansadjacent a lower edge of said plate for attaching a succeeding plate,and a flexible cover secured to said plate and overlapping said edge toconceal the junction with the succeeding section.

5. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plane, an upwardlyrecurved hook formed on the lower edge of said plate for attaching asucceeding section, and a flexible cover attached adjacent the center ofsaid plate and overlapping said hook.

6. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate havingoppositely recurved hooks formed on opposite edges thereof, and aflexible cover attached between said edges and overlapping the upturnedportion of one of said hooks.

7. A ridge section for a roof comprising a substantially rigid platebent longitudinally to conform to the desired roof angle, means adjacentthe lower edges of said plate for attaching succeeding sections thereto,and a flexible cover attached centrally of said plate and overlappingeach of said lower edges.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR P. CHURCH.

